Report to the Board

I thought I would share my July report to the Board with you. I typically mail this out the morning before the meeting, allowing members a chance to review and formulate any questions they may have for me. Typically I get very few questions, a positive sign that I have already addressed any concerns in my report.

Greens Report

July 16th, 2012

1. Greens – As we have been entrenched in the most difficult portion of the summer weather, the greens continue to perform well. Even with more heat and humidity of late our speeds have ranged from 10’ plus to 11’ on a daily basis. I continue to get positive feedback from players on their condition. Some of the poa is showing more signs of stress in the last few weeks, but that is to be expected due to the extreme dryness and heat since the middle of June. Greens are still being mowed at a comfortable .130 as I have seen no need to go any lower.

2. Tees – The tee boxes are hanging in there. There are obvious heat stress areas and areas were we have poor irrigation coverage. Tees have received their second fungicide application. They are due more fertility, but I continue to hold back during the heat.

3. Practice Tee – We have been rotating through the grass areas on the range tee. With a few weeks between member events we will be using the Range Mats more often allowing the grass a chance to heal.

4. Fairways – Here is were I think more budget money could really make a difference. Very much like the greens are noticeably improved this year, we could greatly improve the quality of our fairways with the use of wetting agents, more fertility, more cultivation (aeration), and more precise irrigation system. In general the fairways are good. Dry spots and dormant areas develop even with a constant watering regime. These areas return to normal when cooler temps and steadier rain returns.

5. Bunkers – So far we have completed edging 44 or our 56 bunkers. This is a very large project that commits a great deal of staff time and resources. The end product is a sharper looking golf course, with more clearly defined bunkering.

6. Staff – June Blake has left her position here at Wahconah to take the Superintendent’s position at Forest Park. While she will be greatly missed here, the chance to run her own place was too much to pass up. I wish her well and have no doubt she will be successful. I plan to promote from within and I have hired some additional weekend help.

7. Equipment – The club truck is in dire need of significant repair work, honestly to the point of its almost more money than the truck is worth. With the consent of Jeff I have begun the search for a replacement plow truck. The truck is used to keep the parking lot cleared as well as the maintenance areas of snow. It’s also used to pick up and drop off borrowed equipment. Its used to run for equipment parts, shop supplies and course supplies. It is used to pick up and tow rental equipment (compressor). It is used to haul wood, brush and materials on the course. It is also used for professional meetings and education transportation. The truck is a 2002 (purchased in 2001) and has 170k miles on it.

8. Irrigation – The system has been operating well. I have been irrigating on a nightly basis over the last month. The river level is extremely low, so I have had to bump back the gpm’s that we pull. This means a longer irrigation window and often leads to irrigation running during the mornings. Our system is designed to keep the middle of the course irrigated (greens, tees and fairways). Other areas (rough, green surrounds, some fairway areas) go dormant during hot and dry times such as this.